Cyprus v Wales background
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Article summary
Cyprus have won their last two home games against Wales, but have their work cut out if they are to defeat the Group B leaders for the first time in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying.
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Article body
Cyprus will look to become the first side to beat Wales in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying as the Group B leaders head south for their first game of the autumn campaign.
Previous meetings
• Wales beat Cyprus 2-1 in Cardiff in their first Group B meeting, despite playing much of the second half with ten men following Andy King's dismissal.
• Cyprus's record in six games against Wales is W2 D0 L4 (W2 D0 L1 at home). They have won their last two home games against Wales.
• Current Wales manager Chris Coleman played in his nation's sole win in Cyprus, a 1-0 success in FIFA World Cup qualifying on 14 October 1992.
Disciplinary
• Vincent Laban misses the tie through suspension.
• Wales midfielder Joe Allen is absent as he begins a one-match ban. Joe Ledley is a booking away from a suspension.
Form guide
• Cyprus's 5-0 win against Andorra in their last Group B home game ended a run of five games without a competitive home success.
• Wales are the only unbeaten side left in Group B. Their record on the road is W2 D1 with no goals conceded in their last two Group B away fixtures.
Trivia and links
• Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey ended the spring campaign one appearance shy of 50 for his country.
• Group B has proved to be the most competitive section in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying so far, with just six points separating the top five sides.
• Cyprus's George Efrem (in the 5-0 home win against Andorra) and Nestor Mytidis (in the 3-1 away win against Andorra) scored the first two competitive hat-tricks in Cypriot history.
• Wales have won all three of the countries' encounters in UEFA age-group competitions.
• The only past meetings between the nations' clubs in UEFA competition came in the 1970/71 season when Cardiff City FC beat Pezoporikos FC 8-0 at home and drew the return leg 0-0 in Larnaca.